History

Barry University was founded as Barry College in 1940. Because of its growth in size and diversity, Barry College became Barry University in 1981. Its four founders planned the institution as a Catholic college for young women of Florida. As community needs and social trends changed, the Board of Trustees officially declared Barry College co-educational in 1975.

Nursing students were first admitted in September 1953. Since then, options have been added to the undergraduate program to support licensed practical nurses and academically strong transfer students who want to earn a BSN. The Accelerated Option was added in 1983.

The RN to BSN Option began in 1978 in response to the expressed needs of the community and practicing registered nurses.

The MSN program began in 1983 with a specialization in Nursing Service Administration. The Nursing Education specialization was added in 1984. In 1986 the third specialization for the Primary Care Nurse Practitioner in Adult Health was added; it has since evolved into the Family Nurse Practitioner specialization. In 2003, the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner specialization was added. Today's nursing specializations reflect current needs and future trends in the organization and delivery of nursing care services. A certificate program is also available in nursing.

The Ph.D. in Nursing Program admitted its first students in September 1996. Its multidisciplinary courses and rigorous curriculum have attracted interest from nurses throughout the U.S. and internationally. The DNP program will be admitting its first students in August 2008.